Egyptian authorities are jamming Al Jazeera’s satellite signal, the Qatar-based news organization said Wednesday.
Al Jazeera claimed independent experts determined its satellite signal was being jammed by equipment located at military installations west of Cairo.
In order to circumvent the jamming, Al Jazeera has changed its frequency on Nile Sat, the satellite that provides television signals to North Africa and the Middle East. Al Jazeera’s accusation of signal interference by Egyptian authorities came days after officials accused Al Jazeera of operating illegally and ordered the network to stop broadcasting its signal to Egypt.
Egyptian authorities have focused intensely on Al Jazeera over the past few weeks since the channel began covering protests in the country. On several occasions, authorities have raided Al Jazeera’s broadcast offices in the country.
Authorities detained and released 28 Al Jazeera employees in Cairo shortly after Egyptian leader Mohamed Mursi was ousted in July. Those employees were later released, though Al Jazeera says two other staff members continue to be detained.
On Monday, three journalists working for Al Jazeera English were deported from the country after they were detained for a week. Al Jazeera said the journalists were being accused of “working illegally” in Egypt.
In the Middle East, Al Jazeera operates an Arabic-language channel along with Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al Jazeera Sports and Al Jazeera English. In the United States, Al Jazeera operates two channels: Al Jazeera America and beIN Sport.
Al Jazeera: Egyptian authorities jamming Al Jazeera satellite signal
